Two Caldwell County sheriff's deputies are out of the hospital this morning after being shot by a suspect Wednesday night while serving an arrest warrant for drug violations.

The suspect, who was shot in return fire from the officers, remains hospitalized in Charlotte, police say.

The incident happened about 8 p.m. in the Happy Valley community of Caldwell County.

The two injured deputies were SWAT team members -- Capt. Mike Longo and Sgt. Earl Davis. Each officer was shot in the shoulder and was treated at Caldwell Memorial Hospital.

Officers did not release the name of the suspect. They said he was taken to Caldwell Memorial Hospital and then transferred to Carolinas Medical Center. He underwent surgery during the night and is in critical condition today.

The State Bureau of Investigation was called to the scene late Wednesday and will conduct an investigation, said Det. B.J. Fore, a spokesman for the sheriff's office.

The shooting happened about 25 miles southeast of Boone.

Fore said the SWAT team was serving the warrant when the suspect started firing, striking the officers.